Jim Zarrolihttp://mtpr.org
enStruggling Greek Businesses Choked By Money Controlshttp://mtpr.org/post/struggling-greek-businesses-choked-money-controls
This week the Greek Parliament <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/23/425566817/greece-approves-reforms-clearing-hurdle-for-bailout-deal">approved a set of reforms</a> it hopes will lead a new bailout. The country remains under strict capital controls that bar people from sending money abroad. In a country that imports much of what it uses and eats, that's having a debilitating effect on the economy.<p>The past few years have been tough for the merchants in Athens Central Market.Fri, 24 Jul 2015 21:49:00 +0000Jim Zarroli37433 at http://mtpr.orgStruggling Greek Businesses Choked By Money ControlsCan Greece Get A Handle On Its Notorious Tax System?http://mtpr.org/post/can-greece-get-handle-its-notorious-tax-system
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Can+Greece+Get+A+Handle+On+Its+Notorious+Tax+System%3F&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5MTc0MDI0MDEzMzE4MjI4ODdlOTk4MA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>One big problem that Greece has to solve - as it digs itself out of its near financial collapse - is its tax system. The country's tax code is maddeningly complex, and tax evasion is widespread.Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:12:00 +0000Jim Zarroli37307 at http://mtpr.orgBeyond A Bailout: Greece Needs Debt Relief, IMF Sayshttp://mtpr.org/post/beyond-bailout-greece-needs-debt-relief-imf-says
Whatever comes of the latest <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/15/423218128/greeces-parliament-poised-to-vote-on-austerity-measures">bailout plan</a> for Greece, it may not be enough to save the country's economy, <a href="http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2015/cr15186.pdf">a new report</a> from the International Monetary Fund says.<p>The IMF says Greece is so saddled with debt that it probably can't turn its economy around for years — even if it does everything its creditors want.Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:47:00 +0000Jim Zarroli37050 at http://mtpr.orgBeyond A Bailout: Greece Needs Debt Relief, IMF SaysWisconsin's Rebound: Less Impressive Than It Seems?http://mtpr.org/post/wisconsins-rebound-less-impressive-it-seems
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Wisconsin%27s+Rebound%3A+Less+Impressive+Than+It+Seems%3F&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5MTYwMDQ1MDEzMzE1ODcyMjRmY2FlMA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: <p>And more now on Scott Walker's tenure as governor of Wisconsin. Since he took office, unemployment in his state has fallen and growth has resumed. But critics say Wisconsin's rebound is less impressive than it might seem.Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:43:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36962 at http://mtpr.orgDebt Crisis Puts The Squeeze On Greece's Bankshttp://mtpr.org/post/debt-crisis-puts-squeeze-greeces-banks
As they rapidly run out of cash, Greece's banks could hardly be in a more precarious position.<p>For months, as this crisis has intensified people have been slowly withdrawing their money. The banks have been able to do business only because of emergency loans from the European Central Bank.<p>But when Greece <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/30/418786642/greece-hours-away-from-defaulting-on-imf-loan">missed a payment</a> to the International Monetary Fund this week, the ECB decided not to lend any more money.<p>"That puts the Greek banks in a tremendous squeeze.Fri, 03 Jul 2015 21:25:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36590 at http://mtpr.orgDebt Crisis Puts The Squeeze On Greece's BanksIn June Jobs Report, Positive Numbers Belie Frustrations Beneath Surfacehttp://mtpr.org/post/june-jobs-report-positive-numbers-belie-frustrations-beneath-surface
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=In+June+Jobs+Report%2C+Positive+Numbers+Belie+Frustrations+Beneath+Surface&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5MTYwMDQ1MDEzMzE1ODcyMjRmY2FlMA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>The Labor Department says the U.S. economy continued to add jobs at a pretty healthy pace last month. Employers added 223,000 jobs to their payrolls. But there's also a worry for the economy.Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:17:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36532 at http://mtpr.orgJobs Report Expected To Show 'Stronger Momentum' In Economyhttp://mtpr.org/post/labor-department-release-jobless-data-ahead-holiday-weekend
Economists surveyed by Reuters are predicting that employers added about 230,000 jobs to their payrolls in June. That's less than the month before but still a pretty strong showing.<p>Because of the Independence Day holiday, the unemployment report is being released on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET. It is normally issued on a Friday.<p>The U.S. economy slowed a lot over the winter, but as the weather has improved so has the job market.Thu, 02 Jul 2015 06:22:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36514 at http://mtpr.orgHow Default Could Push Greece Out Of The Eurozone http://mtpr.org/post/how-default-could-push-greece-out-eurozone
<strong>This story was updated at 7 p.m. ET.</strong><p>The deadline passed Tuesday evening for Greece to make a key loan payment to the International Monetary Fund — putting it a step closer toward quitting the euro.<p>There had been last-minute attempts by the government <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/30/418786642/greece-hours-away-from-defaulting-on-imf-loan">to negotiate a deal</a> with its creditors.Tue, 30 Jun 2015 21:29:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36458 at http://mtpr.orgHow Default Could Push Greece Out Of The Eurozone As Tastes Shift, Food Giant General Mills Gets A Makeoverhttp://mtpr.org/post/tastes-shift-food-giant-general-mills-gets-makeover
It's not just the Lucky Charms that are <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/06/22/416486286/sans-artificial-general-mills-scrambles-to-reformulate-lucky-charms">getting a makeove</a>r at General Mills. The company's announcement Monday that it is removing artificial colors and flavors from its cereal line is part of a much bigger overhaul at the food giant.<p>General Mills is one of the biggest and most successful food firms in the world, with dozens of immediately recognizable brands.Tue, 23 Jun 2015 22:41:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36160 at http://mtpr.orgAs Tastes Shift, Food Giant General Mills Gets A MakeoverSummit To Concentrate On Greece's Impending Deadline To Repay IMF Loanhttp://mtpr.org/post/summit-concentrate-greeces-impending-deadline-repay-imf-loan
European leaders hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Monday in an effort to prevent Greece from defaulting on its debts. Greece owes the International Monetary Fund $1.8 billion by the end of this month, and it needs Europe's help to make the payment. But the Athens government is refusing to commit to an economic overhaul package that officials are demanding.<p>Greece has come close to default many times before — only to work out a last-minute compromise with its creditors.Mon, 22 Jun 2015 08:59:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36080 at http://mtpr.orgSummit To Concentrate On Greece's Impending Deadline To Repay IMF LoanWill Monday's Greek Debt Talks Result In A Deal?http://mtpr.org/post/will-mondays-greek-debt-talks-result-deal
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Will+Monday%27s+Greek+Debt+Talks+Result+In+A+Deal%3F&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5MTYwMDQ1MDEzMzE1ODcyMjRmY2FlMA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>ARUN RATH, HOST: <p>Greece and the European Union are fast approaching a moment of truth. Greece needs help to make a big loan payment at the end of the month, but is balking at the economic reforms demanded by its EU creditors.Sun, 21 Jun 2015 21:11:00 +0000Jim Zarroli36071 at http://mtpr.orgU.S. Export-Import Bank Targeted By Conservativeshttp://mtpr.org/post/us-export-import-bank-targeted-conservatives
Republicans are often seen as the party of business. So it's a little ironic that some of the most vocal opposition to the Export-Import Bank comes from conservative Republicans, such as Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.<p>"If we're ever going to get rid of all the corporate connectedness, all the corporate welfare, you've got to start with the most egregious one and the most obvious one and that's the Export-Import Bank," he says.<p>The <a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/07/10/330434582/congress-latest-death-match-involves-a-bank-youve-never-heard-of">Ex-Im Bank</a>, as it's called, does several things.Thu, 11 Jun 2015 22:47:00 +0000Jim Zarroli35702 at http://mtpr.orgU.S. Export-Import Bank Targeted By Conservatives'Cartel' Of 4 Big Banks To Plead Guilty To Gaming The Exchange Ratehttp://mtpr.org/post/cartel-4-big-banks-plead-guilty-gaming-exchange-rate
Four major banks — Citicorp, JPMorgan Chase, Barclays and the Royal Bank of Scotland — have agreed to plead guilty to currency manipulation and pay over $5 billion in fines. Officials say that traders from the banks, who allegedly called themselves "the cartel," used secret codes to manipulate the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Euros. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has taken the unusual step of tossing out what's called a deferred prosecution agreement against a fifth bank. <div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR.Wed, 20 May 2015 15:15:00 +0000Jim Zarroli34827 at http://mtpr.orgVerizon Acquires AOL For $4.4 Billionhttp://mtpr.org/post/verizon-acquires-aol-44-billion
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Verizon+Acquires+AOL+For+%244.4+Billion&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5MTYwMDQ1MDEzMzE1ODcyMjRmY2FlMA004)"/></div><p>Tue, 12 May 2015 13:33:00 +0000Jim Zarroli34506 at http://mtpr.orgThe Annual Shareholders' Meeting Will Now Come To Order Onlinehttp://mtpr.org/post/annual-shareholders-meeting-will-now-come-order-online
The annual meeting is a staple of corporate life. It's a chance for even a small shareholder to take the measure of a company's managers, to ask a question or express a beef about a company actions.<p>But here's the dirty secret about shareholder meetings: Unless the company is huge or there's some controversy going on, hardly anyone shows up.<p>"Over the years, the shareholder meeting attendance started to dwindle," says Heidi Lewis, general counsel at the utility company Dynegy.Fri, 01 May 2015 20:29:00 +0000Jim Zarroli34116 at http://mtpr.orgThe Annual Shareholders' Meeting Will Now Come To Order OnlineWho, Or What, Crashed The Market In A Flash In 2010?http://mtpr.org/post/who-or-what-crashed-market-flash-2010
It has been five years since the so-called flash crash on Wall Street raised big questions about computerized trading. What caused the flash crash has been a topic of debate ever since. U.S. officials revived the debate this week by arresting a little-known trader in London.<p>May 6, 2010 started out as an ordinary trading day on Wall Street.Sat, 25 Apr 2015 13:33:00 +0000Jim Zarroli33869 at http://mtpr.orgWho, Or What, Crashed The Market In A Flash In 2010?Comcast, Time Warner Push For Merger Approval Amid Oppositionhttp://mtpr.org/post/comcast-time-warner-push-merger-approval-amid-opposition
Officials of Comcast and Time Warner Cable met Wednesday with federal regulators to discuss the companies' proposed $45 billion merger. The deal would create a single company that would control large parts of the cable TV and broadband Internet markets.<p>A published report said recently that Justice Department staff members have decided to oppose the deal on antitrust grounds. But company officials are using a lot of firepower to get the deal approved.<p>For months, federal regulators have been poring through data in an effort to assess the impact of the proposed merger.Wed, 22 Apr 2015 20:31:00 +0000Jim Zarroli33744 at http://mtpr.orgComcast, Time Warner Push For Merger Approval Amid OppositionGreece Risks Losing Future Bailout Fundshttp://mtpr.org/post/greece-risks-losing-future-bailout-funds
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Greece+Risks+Losing+Future+Bailout+Funds&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODM0MjQzMDEyMTY4NDQwNDM4ODU3OA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: <p>The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are wrapping up their spring meetings in Washington today. Officially, the meetings are about big issues like trade and falling oil prices.Sun, 19 Apr 2015 11:47:00 +0000Jim Zarroli33592 at http://mtpr.orgNew Asian Development Bank Seen As Sign Of China's Growing Influencehttp://mtpr.org/post/new-asian-development-bank-seen-sign-chinas-growing-influence
China says <a href="http://www.aiibank.org/members.html">57 countries</a> have signed on as charter members of the new China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.Thu, 16 Apr 2015 21:51:00 +0000Jim Zarroli33490 at http://mtpr.orgNew Asian Development Bank Seen As Sign Of China's Growing InfluenceShell's Big Deal Could Shift Global Landscape Of Gas Businesshttp://mtpr.org/post/shells-big-deal-could-shift-global-landscape-gas-business
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Shell%27s+Big+Deal+Could+Shift+Global+Landscape+Of+Gas+Business&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAyNTQ1NzQ1MDEyMjk0OTcxNTI4MzljZQ001)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>A huge merger is shaking up the troubled energy industry today. The European oil giant Royal Dutch Shell announced it's buying the BG Group for about $70 billion. Shell hopes the deal will make it a stronger player in the market for liquefied natural gas.Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:13:00 +0000Jim Zarroli33139 at http://mtpr.orgHow Singapore Became One Of The Richest Places On Earthhttp://mtpr.org/post/how-singapore-became-one-richest-places-earth
Singapore has been called the 20th century's most successful development story.<p>"I don't think any other economy," says Linda Lim, an economist at the University of Michigan, "even the other Asian tigers, have that a good a statistical record of rapid growth, full employment, with very good social indicators — life expectancy, education, housing, etc.Sun, 29 Mar 2015 11:39:00 +0000Jim Zarroli32698 at http://mtpr.orgHow Singapore Became One Of The Richest Places On EarthFor Banks 'Too Big To Jail,' Prosecutors Count On A Promise To Behavehttp://mtpr.org/post/not-prosecuting-companies-if-they-promise-behave
Last week, a top Justice Department official issued <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/16/us-banks-moneylaundering-idUSKBN0MC1ZE20150316">a tough warning</a> to banks and other corporations that repeatedly commit crimes. She said U.S. officials could do away with their deferred-prosecution agreements.<p>Such deals allow companies that have broken the law to escape criminal convictions by promising to clean up their act. A new book looks at the role these agreements play in the corporate world.<p>It may not always seem like it but in recent decades U.S.Tue, 24 Mar 2015 07:41:00 +0000Jim Zarroli32483 at http://mtpr.orgFor Banks 'Too Big To Jail,' Prosecutors Count On A Promise To BehaveLumber Liquidators Defends Its Products After '60 Minutes' Reporthttp://mtpr.org/post/lumber-liquidators-defends-its-products-after-60-minutes-report
Earlier this month, the flooring retailer Lumber Liquidators got the kind of attention companies dread. CBS' <em>60 Minutes</em> <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lumber-liquidators-linked-to-health-and-safety-violations/">did a story</a> saying the company's products have unsafe levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.<p>The news sent Lumber Liquidators' stock price into a free fall, down more than 50 percent, though it has since rebounded a bit.Fri, 13 Mar 2015 22:05:00 +0000Jim Zarroli32087 at http://mtpr.orgLumber Liquidators Defends Its Products After '60 Minutes' ReportTargeting Unions: Right-To-Work Movement Bolstered By Wisconsinhttp://mtpr.org/post/targeting-unions-right-work-movement-bolstered-wisconsin
This week, Wisconsin became the nation's 25th right-to-work state. It passed a law saying workers cannot be forced to join labor unions, or pay union dues, to keep a job.<p>There's a concerted effort in many states to pass laws that would weaken the power of labor unions. But unions and their allies are also fighting back in many places.<p>Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker became a Republican political star by taking on his state's public employee unions.Wed, 11 Mar 2015 20:54:00 +0000Jim Zarroli32005 at http://mtpr.orgTargeting Unions: Right-To-Work Movement Bolstered By WisconsinStudy Suggests Recession, Recovery Have Not Left The Rich Richerhttp://mtpr.org/post/have-rich-really-gotten-richer
The Great Recession exacted a huge toll on people in every income group, and recovering from it has been a long and grueling process.<p>To some economists, the recovery has exacerbated the very real trend toward income inequality in the United States.Tue, 17 Feb 2015 23:16:00 +0000Jim Zarroli31066 at http://mtpr.orgStudy Suggests Recession, Recovery Have Not Left The Rich RicherObama's Plan To Tax Overseas Earnings Draws Scrutinyhttp://mtpr.org/post/obamas-plan-tax-overseas-earnings-draws-scrutiny
<a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/03/17/134619750/how-offshore-tax-havens-save-companies-billions" target="_blank">American companies have about $2 trillion in overseas accounts</a> — money they could be using to hire workers and pay dividends in the United States. But they're reluctant to do so, in part because of the way the U.S. tax system works.<p>President Obama <a href="http://www.npr.org/2015/02/02/383346029/a-look-at-whats-inside-obamas-budget-proposal" target="_blank">proposed some big changes in the tax code last month</a> that would encourage U.S. companies to bring more money home.Thu, 12 Feb 2015 23:26:00 +0000Jim Zarroli30883 at http://mtpr.orgLeaked HSBC Documents Shed Light On Swiss Banking Industry http://mtpr.org/post/leaked-hsbc-documents-shed-light-swiss-banking-industry
A huge trove of leaked documents is shedding new light on the secretive Swiss banking industry.<p>The documents were downloaded by a former computer security expert at the <a href="http://www.hsbc.com/">giant bank HSBC,</a> and they were released over the weekend by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.<p>The documents contain records of some 30,000 accounts kept at HSBC's Swiss subsidiary between 2005 and 2007. The accounts contained almost $120 billion and were tied to politicians, royalty, designers and sports figures in every part of the world.Mon, 09 Feb 2015 06:47:00 +0000Jim Zarroli30663 at http://mtpr.orgLeaked HSBC Documents Shed Light On Swiss Banking Industry Standard & Poor's To Pay Over $1 Billion In Legal Settlementhttp://mtpr.org/post/standard-poors-pay-over-1-billion-legal-settlement
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Standard+%26+Poor%27s+To+Pay+Over+%241+Billion+In+Legal+Settlement&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAyMTY5Njg0MDEyMjQ2OTQ4NjVhMTAyZg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>We begin with the outcome of one of the government's biggest cases linked to the financial crisis.Tue, 03 Feb 2015 21:37:00 +0000Jim Zarroli30431 at http://mtpr.orgJustice Dept. Settles S&P Lawsuithttp://mtpr.org/post/justice-dept-settles-sp-lawsuit
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Justice+Dept.+Settles+S%26P+Lawsuit&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODM0MjcxMDEyMTY4NDQ0MzA5ZWJiNg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>This morning, one more step in the process of cleaning up after the 2008 financial crisis - the ratings company Standard and Poor's will pay $1.3 billion to settle allegations that have defrauded mortgage investors.Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:27:00 +0000Jim Zarroli30412 at http://mtpr.orgSome Businesses Say Immigrant Workers Are Harder To Find http://mtpr.org/post/some-businesses-say-immigrant-workers-are-harder-find
At Fieldale Farms in Gainesville, Ga., workers cut up chicken breasts and feed the parts into machines. The pieces are then marinated, breaded and eventually sold to restaurants.<p>The work here can be physically demanding. Not a lot of people want to do it — even though the average wage here is $16 per hour plus benefits.<p>Tom Hensley, the company president, says Fieldale Farms hires just about anyone who can pass a drug test.<p>"We hire 100 people a week. Because we have 100 people who quit every week, out of 5,000 employees," he says.Thu, 29 Jan 2015 23:10:00 +0000Jim Zarroli30225 at http://mtpr.orgSome Businesses Say Immigrant Workers Are Harder To Find